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\layout Title
Learning
\emph on
Online
\emph default
Network with CAPA
\newline
\emph on
\SpecialChar ~
\newline
\size larger
Author's Tutorial And Manual
\layout Standard
\added_space_top vfill \align center
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\align center
This manual was developed by John Williamson in the Office of Medical Education
Research and Development.
Some information in thie manual is adapted from the
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LON-CAPA Workshop Demo
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
developed by Felicia Berryman in the Laboratory for Instructional Technology
in Education.
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\pagebreak_bottom \align center
Laboratory for Instructional Technology in Education
\newline
and the
\newline
Office of Medical Education Research and Development
\newline
Michigan State University
\newline
\layout Standard
\pagebreak_bottom
\begin_inset LatexCommand \tableofcontents{}
\end_inset
\layout Section
Introduction to LON-CAPA
\layout Comment
This is a comment that will not show in any other rendering of this document.
I will use them to document my observations as I work through this tutorial.
\layout Comment
Imagine a big
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
IMHO
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
on all of these comments; I'm just going to give you my comments straight
out.
I'm not attached to them and won't be offended by anything you say or do
about them.
\layout Standard
LON-CAPA is a web-based interface that helps to organize and present your
course website, deliver and manage problems, and manage student enrollment.
All author functions are done using a web browser (Netscape 4.x or higher,
a recent Mozilla, or IE 5+ required) and the LON-CAPA Author Interface.
\layout Standard
At this time, you should have:
\layout Itemize
developed your objectives for your course.
\layout Itemize
developed your problems for testing and identified the question formats.
\layout Subsection
About This Manual
\layout Standard
Throughout this manual, keywords and phrases literally present on the computer
screen will be referred to in
\series bold
bold type
\series default
.
Function names and scripts will be shown in a
\family typewriter
typewriter font
\family default
.
\layout Standard
Much of this document can be used as a tutorial that will introduce you
to the authoring system.
In particular, chapters
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Author Interface}
\end_inset
through
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a Course}
\end_inset
comprise a basic tutorial that can get you started using LON-CAPA, even
with no previous LON-CAPA experience.
\layout Standard
For more information, see the website at
\family typewriter
http://help.loncapa.org/
\family default
, where you can get help.
If you cannot find an answer for your question, please email us and let
us know, so we can put the solution to your problem online for everyone.
\layout Section
The LON-CAPA Author Interface
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Author Interface}
\end_inset
\layout Subsection
Login as Course Author
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Course Author}
\end_inset
\layout Standard
To begin using LON-CAPA, you first need to log in to your account on LON-CAPA.
Open your web browser and navigate to your local LON-CAPA URL.
You will be presented with a log in screen as in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{LON-CAPA Log in screen}
\end_inset
.
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 297 234
file login.eps
width 3 50
flags 11
\end_inset
\layout Caption
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{LON-CAPA Log in screen}
\end_inset
LON-CAPA Log in screen
\end_float
\layout Standard
Fill in the Username and Password boxes with your information.
Then press the Login button.
This will take you to your LON-CAPA User Roles menu.
\layout Description
Note: Your Username and Password will be given to you by your system administrat
or.
Both are case sensitive, so make sure you type them with the correct case.
\layout Subsection
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Author Remote Control}
\end_inset
Author Remote Control
\layout Comment
Comment on the remote controls: I'll only mention this once, but imagine
this comment exists everywhere a remote control image is used.
The whole
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
remote control
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
metaphor is fundamentally flawed and probably can't be salvaged.
Why is it flawed?
\layout Comment
\SpecialChar ~
\layout Comment
1.
The remote control invokes a metaphor, that of remote controls.
However, remote controls are useful in the real world, despite the overwhelming
complexity of modern remotes, for three major reasons: One, they never,
ever, ever change.
Two, they provide immense amounts of tactile feedback, allowing one to
overcome the complexity of using one by putting the knowledge into motor
memory.
(There are equivalent usability principles in usability, as well; look
up Fitt's Law, for instance.) Three, they all basically do the same thing;
pick up an unfamiliar TV control and you at least know in advance there
will be numbers for channel changing, vol up and down, chan up and down,
mute, etc.
The remotes used in this system do not have any of these properties.
Remotes are actually horrid UI, because they are very, very difficult to
learn; they make up for it by being useful and persistent.
\layout Comment
Further, remotes should *do* things.
This remote is like a remote that no matter what button you push, it invokes
a menu.
Most remotes have
\series bold
one
\series default
explicit
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
menu
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
button to invoke a menu that has all the feature that aren't worth valuable
remote control space.
\layout Comment
In fact, the metaphor is so unsuccessful that any moderately savvy Internet
user will almost immediately come to conceptualize the remote as just another
list of links, albeit a clumsy and inconvenient one.
Why not give them that in the first place?
\layout Comment
\SpecialChar ~
\layout Comment
2.
Even the simplest
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
remote
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
I see in the tutorial has eight buttons, which nearly immediately becomes
seventeen (!) buttons, all incomprehensible, and I didn't get a chance
to count during the interview, but I saw a remote flash by (student remote?
admin remote? that wouldn't matter as much) that had at least twenty, probably
24 buttons, again, all or nearly all incomprehensible.
This is needlessly intimidating.
\layout Comment
\SpecialChar ~
\layout Comment
3.
By committing to this
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
remote control
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
layout, you commit to a remote control's layout limitations, except that
an actual remote control can get away with a 6pt or smaller font, or weird
specialized symbols, or whatnot.
I'm looking at a (real) remote control right now that manages to get
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
channel return
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
onto one button.
That whole phrase fits *twice* into the space the
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
ROLES
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
button takes up on my printout! So in actuality, you're committing to something
no sane remote control designer could deal with.
\layout Comment
\SpecialChar ~
\layout Comment
4.
Requiring the user to mouse over something to see what it does is not a
solution.
Limiting yourself to an 8 by 2 array of characters to explain yourself
compounds the problem even more.
(Another over-literal extension of the remote control metaphor.) Also, as
you may have observed, the accessibility of this is nil.
\layout Comment
\SpecialChar ~
\layout Comment
The upshot is that the only upside to the remote control is a moderately
pleasing graphic; the downsides are pretty much everything, up to and including
possible illegality under accessibility laws.
Unfortunately, I do not see any way to salvage any aspect of the remote
control; it's going to suck until it's replaced.
Pleasing graphics are relatively easy to come by nowadays; it should not
drive the design.
I'll admit (freely!) I'm not a graphics designer...
graphics designers aren't web developers (designers), either.
\layout Comment
\SpecialChar ~
\layout Comment
We're data-mining the web logs to see what people actually use.
This is good.
We may need to do some really simple stuff before he finishes.
Raw statistics on what buttons are pressed most often can probably be interpret
ed easily enough for our purposes.
No matter what the final design is, it should emphasize the two or three
commands used day in and day out, as determined by empirical analysis,
and shuffle the other commands onto another sub menu or sub menus.
Then, use the additional space you'll have (even if you keep the same size
window) and actually *spell out* the options.
\layout Standard
The Author Remote Control, show in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Author Remote Control Figure}
\end_inset
, will automatically load whenever you log in to LON-CAPA as the course
instructor.
The Author Remote Control is a separate window in your browser, so you
may position it on the screen where you can make the best use of it.
The Remote Control is a tool that allows you to switch between functions
and roles within LON-CAPA.
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 177 420
file authorRemote.eps
height 3 50
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Author Remote Control
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Author Remote Control Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
\layout Comment
Of the eight choices on this menu, only two (ROLES and LOGOUT) make *any*
sort of sense on a first glance.
Abbreviations are evil in this sort of application and should be used as
a truly last resort.
\layout Standard
When you move your mouse over the buttons in the remote, the sixteen gray
boxes will show a reminder of what that button does.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
ROLES (CHOOSE ROLE)
\series default
allows you to select which user role to assume for this session.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
COM (COMMUNICATION)
\series default
allows you to access the communication functions in the system.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
CUSR (USER ROLES)
\series default
brings up a page that allows you to create new users and change user privileges.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
CSTR (CONSTRUCT)
\series default
displays the construction space for your account.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
RES (RESOURCE SPACE)
\series default
allows you to browse the LON-CAPA network directory.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
EGRD (ENTER GRADES)
\series default
is used to enter grades for students enrolled in your course.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
SRC (SEARCH LIBRARY)
\series default
brings up a screen that lets you search the LON-CAPA resources using multiple
criteria.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
LOGOUT (LOGOUT)
\series default
will log you out of the LON-CAPA system.
\layout Section
Creating Content Using LON-CAPA
\layout Standard
LON-CAPA provides three types of resources for organizing your course website.
LON-CAPA refers to these resources as Content Pages, Problems, and Maps.
Maps may be either of two types: Sequences or Pages.
You will use these LON-CAPA resources to build the outline, or structure,
for the presentation of your course to your students.
\layout Itemize
A
\series bold
Content Page
\series default
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Content Page}
\end_inset
displays course content.
It is essentially a conventional HTML page.
These resources use the extension
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.html
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
\layout Itemize
A
\series bold
Problem
\series default
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Problem}
\end_inset
resource represents problems for the students to solve, with answers stored
in the system.
These resources are stored in files that must use the extension
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.problem
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
\layout Itemize
A
\series bold
Map
\series default
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Map}
\end_inset
resource of the
\series bold
Sequence
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Sequence}
\end_inset
\series default
type represents a programmed series of events.
The users of this resource can use directional buttons on their remote
or the NAV button to follow the sequence.
These resources are stored in files that must use the extension
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.sequence
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
\layout Itemize
A
\series bold
Map
\series default
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Map}
\end_inset
resource of the
\series bold
Page
\series default
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Page}
\end_inset
type display multiple resources together.
For example, a page of problems will appears as a problem set.
These resources are stored in files that must use the extension
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.page
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
\layout Subsection
Description of the Construction Space
\layout Standard
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 42
file constructionSpace.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Construction Space
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Construction Space Figure}
\end_inset
\layout Standard
Contents of the Construction Space:
\layout Standard
\begin_inset Tabular
<lyxtabular version="2" rows="10" columns="2">
<features rotate="false" islongtable="false" endhead="0" endfirsthead="0" endfoot="0" endlastfoot="0">
<column alignment="center" valignment="top" leftline="true" rightline="false" width="" special="">
<column alignment="left" valignment="top" leftline="true" rightline="true" width="5in" special="">
<row topline="true" bottomline="true" newpage="false">
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
\series bold
Button Name
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="left" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
\series bold
Description
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Publish this Resource
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Opens the Resource Publishing window.
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
List Directory
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Lists the contents of the current working directory
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Copy
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Type a new name in the entry box to make a copy the current resource
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Browse
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Helps you select a file to upload
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Upload File
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Uploads the selected file to your Construction Space
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Retrieve Old Version
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Load an older version of a resource if you have multiple versions
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Delete
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Deletes the current resource
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Rename
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Type a new name in the associated entry box to rename a resource
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true" bottomline="true" newpage="false">
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
New Subdirectory
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Type a name in the entry box to create a new directory
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
</lyxtabular>
\end_inset
\end_float
The Construction Space, as seen in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Construction Space Figure}
\end_inset
, is the section of LON-CAPA where you create and manage your course resources.
The figure explains what each button does.
\layout Subsection
How to Create New Content Pages
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating New Content Pages}
\end_inset
\layout Standard
\series bold
Content Pages
\series default
are HTML documents that display the course information you are presenting.
To create new Content Pages, do the following:
\layout Enumerate
Click the
\series bold
CSTR
\series default
button on the LON-CAPA remote.
You web page will change to your Construction Space.
\layout Enumerate
In Location bar of your browser, type in full URL of the new Content Page.
Make sure the last part of the URL ends with
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.html
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, for example,
\emph on
http://www.s10.lite.msu.edu/priv/\SpecialChar \-
directory/new_resource.html
\emph default
.
Press the Return or Enter key.
\layout Enumerate
You should see something like the following message: File not found: /home/wmson
j/priv/\SpecialChar \-
directory/new_resource.html, and an Edit button.
Click the
\series bold
Edit
\series default
button, and an HTML editor will open with a simple page template.
\layout Enumerate
Type the content into the editor,
\emph on
OR
\emph default
copy and paste HTML source code obtained through the use of some other
HTML authoring program into the editor.
\layout Enumerate
Optionally, click the
\series bold
View
\series default
button to preview your Content Page.
\layout Enumerate
Finally, click the
\series bold
Save this
\series default
button
\emph on
OR
\emph default
click the
\series bold
Save and then attempt to clean HTML
\series default
button.
\layout Standard
Repeat this process as many times as necessary to create your Content Pages.
\layout Standard
If you're following this as a tutorial, create at least one content page,
which we'll use later as raw material.
\layout Subsection
How to Edit Existing Content Pages
\layout Standard
You may edit any any Content Pages that have been created.
\layout Standard
To edit Content Pages:
\layout Enumerate
Click the
\series bold
CSTR
\series default
button on the LON-CAPA Remote.
Your web page will change to your Construction Space.
\layout Enumerate
Click on the link for the name of the Content Page to edit.
The Content Page editor will load and display the current edition of the
Content Page.
\layout Enumerate
Press the Edit button.
Edit the HTML code, or copy and paste HTML source code into the editor.
\layout Enumerate
Optionally, click the
\series bold
View
\series default
button to preview your Content Page.
\layout Enumerate
Finally, click the
\series bold
Save this
\series default
button
\emph on
OR
\emph default
click the
\series bold
Save and then attempt to clean HTML
\series default
button.
If you do not do this, your work will not be saved.
\layout Subsection
Creating Online Problems Using LON-CAPA
\layout Standard
If you're following this as a tutorial, go ahead and make one of each of
these problem types now.
We'll be using them later as raw material to assemble maps and sequences.
\layout Standard
While several problem types are listed here, in LON-CAPA, all problems are
actually the same.
All problems are written in XML, which can be obtained and edited with
the
\series bold
EditXML
\series default
button you'll see.
The problem types listed in this manual are actually just templates.
As your knowledge advances, you may wish to play with the XML representation
directly to see what you can do.
\layout Subsubsection
Problems Types
\layout Standard
There are five types of problems that can be created with the LON-CAPA system:
Radio Response, Option Response, String Response, Numerical Response, and
Formula Response.
You will need to identify which types of problem you want to use and create
appropriate questions for your course.
\layout Subsubsection
Foils
\layout Standard
In the LON-CAPA system, a
\series bold
Foil
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Foil}
\end_inset
\series default
is a choice in a Radio Response or Option Response problem.
For instance, True/False problems have two foils, one for True, and one
for False.
Foils do not need to be text; they can be images or other resources.
\layout Subsubsection
Radio Response
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Radio Response}
\end_inset
Problems
\layout Standard
\series bold
Radio Response
\series default
problems represent multiple choice questions.
A True/False problem is a special case of Radio Response problem with two
foils, True or False.
\layout Standard
Multiple choice problems contain between 3 to 10 foils.
You may display from three to five foils for each problem and the system
randomly picks the choices that are presented to the student.
\layout Comment
Eh? If this means what I think it means, clarify.
Is the system really incapable of showing eight choices all at once?
\layout Subsubsection
Option Response
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Option Response}
\end_inset
Problems
\layout Standard
Option Response problems present foils to the student with drop-down boxes.
A group of foils is created for each concept group, and the system will
pick one to present to the student from each group.
The student must match each of his or her questions correctly to the possible
answers before receiving credit for the problem.
For more details, see Create Option Response in section
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Create Option Response Problem}
\end_inset
.
\layout Subsubsection
String Response Problems
\layout Standard
\series bold
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{String Response}
\end_inset
String Response
\series default
problems are problems in which the student submits a string of characters
for the answer.
Examples of string response questions are vocabulary tests, short answer
and entering chemical formulas.
\layout Standard
Note that it is easy to abuse String Response problems.
For instance, consider the question
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Who wrote 'Huckleberry Finn'?
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
If you tell the system the answer is
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Mark Twain
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, and a student answers
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Twain
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, the system will mark it wrong.
If they answer
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Samuel Clements
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, then the student will definitely get it wrong.
There is some room for flexibility in the string processing, but it can
be difficult to get it all right.
Before you use a String Response problem, be sure you can easily characterize
correct answers.
\layout Subsubsection
Numerical Response Problems
\layout Standard
\series bold
Numerical Response
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Numerical Response}
\end_inset
\series default
problems are answered by entering a number and (optionally) a unit, such
as 2.5 m/s^2.
Tolerance and required significant digits can be specified as well.
\layout Subsubsection
Formula Response Problems
\layout Standard
Formula Response problems are questions in which the student types in a
math formula for the answer.
If the answer is
\begin_inset Formula \( x^{2}-11 \)
\end_inset
, the student can enter "x^2 - 11", "x*x - 11", "x^2 + 21 - 10", etc.
Functions such as cos, sin, and exp are accepted as well as the operators
(), +, -, *, and /.
\layout Subsection
Creating Radio Response Problems
\layout Standard
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 201
file creatingNewProblemResource.eps
width 3 80
flags 13
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Creating A New Problem Resource
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating a new problem resource}
\end_inset
\end_float
To create an Radio Response
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Radio Response}
\end_inset
problem, create a new resource as described in section
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages}
\end_inset
.
This is a
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
problem
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
resource so the URL must end in
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.problem
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
You should see a screen as in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource}
\end_inset
.
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 283
file radioResponse2.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Radio Response Creation Form
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Radio Response Creation Form}
\end_inset
\end_float
You will need to create the possible answers and the questions.
\layout Enumerate
In the drop-down option box as seen in
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource}
\end_inset
, select
\series bold
Radio Response Problem
\series default
, and click the
\series bold
New Problem
\series default
button.
\layout Enumerate
Click the
\series bold
Edit
\series default
button above the sample problem to enter edit mode.
You should see an editing screen like figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Radio Response Creation Form}
\end_inset
.
\layout Enumerate
In the
\series bold
Text Block
\series default
at the top of the problem, remove the sample text and type the question
for your problem.
For example,
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
What is two plus two?
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
\layout Enumerate
Locate the
\series bold
Response: One of N statements
\series default
element.
In the
\series bold
Max Number of Shown Foils
\series default
text box, place the number of wrong answers you wish to supply to each
student, in addition to the correct one.
For instance, if you want to display four choices, where one is correct
and three are incorrect, enter
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
3
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
into this box.
\layout Enumerate
Locate
\series bold
Foil 1
\series default
.
Remove the text that is in the text box and put the
\emph on
correct answer
\emph default
for the problem in the
\series bold
Text Block
\series default
.
For example,
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Four.
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
\layout Enumerate
Below it, you will see
\series bold
Foil 2
\series default
.
Remove the text in the text box and put an
\emph on
incorrect answer
\emph default
for the problem.
For instance,
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Purple.
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
\layout Enumerate
Repeat the previous step until you've filled in all of the other incorrect
answers you wish to offer the students.
\layout Enumerate
Once you've filled in all the incorrect answers, change the
\series bold
Correct Option
\series default
s on the other foils to
\series bold
Unused
\series default
.
\layout Enumerate
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 92
file radioResponseHint.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Hint Element
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Radio Response Hint Element Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
Scroll down to the Hint element, as shown in Figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Radio Response Hint Element Figure}
\end_inset
.
Type some text that will help students when they answer incorrectly.
\layout Enumerate
Click the
\series bold
Submit Changes
\series default
button located at the top of the frame.
If you do not do this, none of your changes will be saved.
\layout Standard
The
\series bold
Correct Option
\series default
drop down box controls whether or not a given answer will be accepted as
a correct answer.
If it is set to
\series bold
true
\series default
, that answer will be considered a correct answer.
Any number of foils can be marked
\series bold
true
\series default
, so you can have questions with multiple correct answers.
If it is set to
\series bold
false
\series default
, it will be considered an incorrect answer.
If it is set to
\series bold
Unused
\series default
, the system will not use that foil.
\layout Paragraph
Randomization
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Randomization}
\end_inset
\layout Standard
LON-CAPA will randomize what choices are presented to each student, and
randomize the order they are presented in.
If you wish to present each student the same choices, make sure the
\series bold
Maximum Number of Shown Foils
\series default
box contains the number of incorrect answers, which will force them to
all be displayed.
If you wish to force the system to display the foils in the order you have
created them in, type the HTML tag
\series bold
<norandom>
\series default
into your problem text.
This can be useful with the ever-popular
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
All of the above
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
choice, which must be displayed in the correct place or its meaning will
change.
\layout Subsubsection
True/False
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{True/False Problem}
\end_inset
Problem
\layout Standard
A True/False problem is a Radio Response problem with two choices, True
and False.
set the
\series bold
Maximum Number of Shown Foils
\series default
to
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
1
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, and mark the correct answer
\series bold
true
\series default
.
For example, for the True/False question
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Napoleon conquered Japan in the year 189 A.D.
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, mark the foil containing the answer
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
False
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
as
\series bold
true
\series default
, because it is the correct answer.
\layout Subsection
Option Response
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Option Response}
\end_inset
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Create Option Response Problem}
\end_inset
Problems
\layout Subsubsection
Option Response problems with Concept Groups
\layout Standard
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 280
file optionResponseProblem.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Option Response Problem
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Option Response Problem Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
Each Option Response problem can have three parts:
\layout Enumerate
The Concept Groups
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Concept Groups}
\end_inset
\layout Enumerate
The options for the students to select, by default
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
True
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
and
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
False
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
\layout Enumerate
The hint for the student
\layout Standard
Each
\series bold
Concept Group
\series default
has some number of foils representing questions which are conceptually
related.
Option Response Problems can have between 4 and 8 Concept Groups in a problem.
When the Option Response problem is presented to a student, the LON-CAPA
system will randomly select one foil from each Concept Group and present
it to the student.
In order to receive credit for the problem, the student must answer all
of the Concept Group foils correctly.
\layout Subsubsection
Example: Concept Group
\layout Standard
For example, a Concept Group may contain the following True/False questions:
\layout Itemize
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Mark Twain
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
is the pen name of Samuel Clemens.
\layout Itemize
Mark Twain wrote
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
The Call of the Wild
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
\layout Itemize
Mark Twain wrote
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Huckleberry Finn
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
\layout Itemize
Mark Twain spent most of his life in the Congo.
\layout Standard
For each foil, the author marks it True or False.
When the student logs on and attempts to answer this question, the student
will see only one of the four choices for that concept group.
They then go on to do the remaining three to seven Concept Groups in this
question before submitting their answer.
\layout Subsubsection
Example: Matching Problem
\layout Standard
You might want to ask the student to match musical compositions with their
composers.
You could create an Option Response problem with 4 Concept Groups, and
place the following four things each in their own concept group:
\layout Itemize
Claire de Lune
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Clair de Lune}
\end_inset
\begin_float footnote
\layout Standard
Debussy.
\end_float
\layout Itemize
The Pastoral Symphony
\begin_float footnote
\layout Standard
Beethoven's Sixth Symphony.
\end_float
\layout Itemize
Sleeping Beauty Suite
\begin_float footnote
\layout Standard
Tchaikovsky.
\end_float
\layout Itemize
The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies
\begin_float footnote
\layout Standard
Also Tchaikovsky, from The Nutcracker.
\end_float
\layout Standard
You could then add the following options to the option list:
\layout Itemize
Debussy
\layout Itemize
Beethoven
\layout Itemize
Schubert
\layout Itemize
Tchaikovsky
\layout Itemize
Bach
\layout Standard
The same answers can be used more then once, or not at all, as you see fit.
It is conventional to place such a warning in the
\series bold
Text Block
\series default
describing the problem to the students.
\layout Subsubsection
Creating Option Response Problems
\layout Standard
To create an Option Response problem, create a new resource as described
in section
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages}
\end_inset
.
This is a
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
problem
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
resource so the URL must end in
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.problem
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
You should see a screen as in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource}
\end_inset
.
\layout Enumerate
In the drop-down option box as seen in
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource}
\end_inset
, select
\series bold
Option Response Problem with
\emph on
N
\emph default
Concept Groups
\series default
, where
\series bold
\emph on
N
\series default
\emph default
is the number of Concept Groups you wish the problem to have, and click
the
\series bold
New Problem
\series default
button.
\layout Enumerate
Click the
\series bold
Edit
\series default
button above the sample problem to enter edit mode.
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 276
file optionResponseEditing.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Option Response Editor
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Option Response Editor Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
You should see the Option Response page open up, which should look something
like what you see in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Option Response Editor Figure}
\end_inset
.
\layout Enumerate
Replace the text in the
\series bold
Text Block
\series default
with text that explains the conditions for your problem.
\layout Enumerate
Locate the
\series bold
Max Number of Shown Foils
\series default
element and type a number from 1 to 8 to display that number of questions.
You cannot display more then one foil from each concept group, so this
option will only reduce the number of foils displayed, if it is less then
the number of concept groups in your Option Response problem.
\layout Enumerate
Now you must define the options the students can select.
For each option you wish to add to the Option Response question, type the
option into the
\series bold
Add new Option
\series default
box in the
\series bold
Select Options
\series default
section, then hit the
\series bold
Save Changes
\series default
button.
If you do not hit the
\series bold
Save Changes
\series default
button, your option will not be selectable below.
\layout Enumerate
To delete the irrelevant options from the Option Response question, select
that option from the
\series bold
Delete Option
\series default
drop down, and hit the Save Changes button.
Do that for each option you wish to remove.
\layout Enumerate
Now, you need to define the question foils.
Look for the foil with the name
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
One
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
Type the question into the text box, and select the correct option for
that question from the
\series bold
Correct Option
\series default
drop-down menu.
Click
\series bold
Submit Changes
\series default
to save this question foil.
Repeat this step for all remaining foils.
\layout Enumerate
Locate the foils that are not being used.
In their
\series bold
Delete
\series default
menus, set the value to
\series bold
Yes
\series default
.
Once you've set the Delete menu value correctly for all the foils, click
the
\series bold
Save Changes
\series default
button.
\layout Enumerate
In the Hint area, provide a helpful hint for users who get the problem incorrect
, and click the
\series bold
Save Changes
\series default
button.
\layout Subsubsection
Simple Option Response: No Concept Groups
\layout Standard
If you select
\series bold
Simple Option Response
\series default
from the drop-down box, you get a template that will allow you to enter
up to eight foils, and the system will randomly select from these foils,
with no grouping.
Otherwise, it's identical to Option Response problems.
\layout Subsection
Creating a String Response Problem
\layout Standard
To create an String Response problem, create a new resource as described
in section
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages}
\end_inset
.
This is a
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
problem
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
resource so the URL must end in
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.problem
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
You should see a screen as in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource}
\end_inset
.
\layout Enumerate
In the drop-down option box as seen in
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource}
\end_inset
, select
\series bold
Simple String Response Problem
\series default
, and click the
\series bold
New Problem
\series default
button.
\layout Enumerate
Click the
\series bold
Edit
\series default
button above the sample problem to enter edit mode.
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 320
file stringResponseEditor.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
String Response Editor
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{String Response Editor Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
You should see the String Response editor page open up, which should look
something like what you see in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{String Response Editor Figure}
\end_inset
.
\layout Enumerate
Clear the text from the Text Block at the top of the problem, and type in
your problem's question.
\layout Enumerate
In the
\series bold
Answer Box
\series default
, type the correct answer.
\layout Enumerate
Select the answer condition from the drop down box.
There are three cases to choose from:
\begin_deeper
\layout Enumerate
\series bold
cs
\series default
: This means
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Case Sensitive
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
For example, this is useful in Chemistry, where HO and Ho are completely
different answers
\begin_float footnote
\end_deeper
\layout Standard
\series bold
HO
\series default
is hydrogen monoxide, a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas.
\series bold
Ho
\series default
is the element 67, Holmium, in the Lanthanides.
\end_float
.
The student must match the case of the answer.
\begin_deeper
\layout Enumerate
\series bold
ci
\series default
: This means
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Case Insensitive
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
The system does not use the case of the letters to determine the correctness
of the answer.
If the correct answer is
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
car
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, the system will accept
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
car
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
,
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
CAR
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
,
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Car
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
,
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
caR
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, etc.
\layout Enumerate
\series bold
mc
\series default
: This means
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Multiple Choice
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
The student's answers must contain the same letters as the question author's,
but order is unimportant.
This is usually used to give a multiple choice question in the question's
\series bold
Text Block
\series default
, which may have several correct parts.
If the author sets the correct answer as
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
bcg
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, the system will accept
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
bcg
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
,
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
cbg
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
,
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
gcb
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, etc., but not
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
bc
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
or
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
abcg
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
\layout Standard
It is conventional to inform the students if the problem is case sensitive,
or that the order of the answers doesn't matter.
\end_deeper
\layout Enumerate
Optionally, locate the
\series bold
Single Line Text Entry Area
\series default
block and set a length in the Size box.
This will only affect the size of the box on the screen; if you set the
box size to 2, the student can still enter 3 or more letters in their answer.
\layout Enumerate
Scroll down to the Hint element, and type some text that will help students
when they answer incorrectly.
\layout Enumerate
Click the Submit Changes button.
\layout Subsection
Creating Numerical Response And Formula Response Problems
\layout Standard
Numerical Response problems are answered by entering a number and an optional
unit.
For instance, a numerical response problem might have an answer of
\begin_inset Formula \( 2m/s^{2} \)
\end_inset
.
Formula Response problems are answered by entering a mathematical formula.
For instance, a numerical response problem might have an answer of
\begin_inset Formula \( x^{2}+11 \)
\end_inset
.
The answer may be in any equivalent format.
For instance, for
\begin_inset Formula \( x^{2}+11 \)
\end_inset
, the system will accept
\begin_inset Formula \( x*x-11 \)
\end_inset
or
\begin_inset Formula \( x^{2}+21-10 \)
\end_inset
as well.
\layout Standard
Creating Numerical Response and Formula Response problems starts the same
as the other problem types, but because of the power of Numerical Response
and Formula Response problems, they are covered in their own section after
the end of the tutorial.
For more information about these problem types, please see section
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Numerical Response}
\end_inset
for Numerical Response problems and section
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Formula Response}
\end_inset
for Formula Response problems.
\layout Section
Publishing Your Resources
\layout Standard
In order to make the content you've created available for courses to use,
you must publish your content.
LON-CAPA provides an easy interface for publishing your content pages,
problem resources, and sequences.
You can specify title, author information, keywords, and other metadata.
LON-CAPA uses this metadata for many things, and it's important to fill
the metadata out as accurately as possible.
\layout Subsection
What is Metadata?
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Metadata}
\end_inset
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{What Is Metadata?}
\end_inset
\layout Standard
\emph on
Metadata
\emph default
is
\emph on
data about data
\emph default
.
Metadata can often be thought of as a label on some bit of information
that can be useful to people or computer programs trying to use the data.
Without metadata, the person or computer trying to use the original information
would have to just guess what the original data is about.
For instance, if you create a problem and neglect to say in the title or
subject of the problem what it is about, then a human who wants to use
that problem would have to read the problem itself to see what it was about,
which is much more difficult then just reading a title.
A computer trying to do the same thing would just be out of luck; it is
too stupid to understand the problem statement at all.
\layout Standard
One example of metadata you use all the time is the <TITLE> of a web page,
which usually shows up in the title bar of the browser.
That's information about the web page itself, not actually part of the
web page.
People use it when they bookmark a page, so they know what the page is.
Search engines use it as a clue about the content of the web page.
\layout Subsection
Publishing A Resource
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Resource, Publishing}
\end_inset
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Publishing Resource}
\end_inset
\layout Standard
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 168
file constructionSpaceForPublishing.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Construction Space for Publishing
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Construction Space for Publishing Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
To publish a resource, log in and choose your role to be an Author.
Then click
\series bold
CSTR
\series default
to go to your construction space.
You should see something like figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Construction Space for Publishing Figure}
\end_inset
.
Click on the
\series bold
Publish
\series default
button for the resource you wish to publish.
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 338
file publishMetadata.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Publishing Metadata Screen
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Publishing Metadata Screen Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
You'll get a metadata screen that should look something like figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Publishing Metadata Screen Figure}
\end_inset
.
Fill out the form.
If you are creating resources that may be used in several courses, you
should talk with the other authors and establish some sort of standard
title and subject scheme in advance.
\layout Standard
The language is the language the problem is written in.
The Publisher/Owner is the person who owns the problem; it should be the
email address where anybody with questions about the resource can contact
someone who can help them.
In smaller environments, this is likely to be the author.
In larger environments, it may be a coordinator or manager.
\layout Standard
The
\series bold
Keywords
\series default
and the
\series bold
Abstract
\series default
are more information about the problem.
The
\series bold
Keywords
\series default
are words that are strongly connected to your problem; for instance a physics
problem about a pulley might include
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
pulley
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
as a key word.
LON-CAPA pulls out likely-looking keywords for you so you can just click
on their check boxes to make them keywords.
\series bold
Additional keywords
\series default
allows you to add any keyword to your problem that are not actually in
the problem.
For instance, on that same problem a physicist might add the keyword
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
statics
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, even though it doesn't appear in the original problem, because Physics
uses that as a classification of problem type.
\layout Standard
Finally, you need to set the copyright and distribution notice.
This setting controls who is allowed to use your resource.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
Limited to courses in the domain published
\series default
means that only courses running in the same domain as you can use your
content.
Talk to your LON-CAPA administrator if you want more information about
your domain.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
Free
\series default
means that anyone can find and use the resource.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
Private - visible to author only
\series default
means that it can't be used for any course.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
Public - no authentication required
\series default
means anyone can find and use the resource.
\layout Standard
Now when you click
\series bold
Finalize Publication
\series default
, your resource will be published and usable (unless you set the distribution
to
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
private
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
).
\layout Standard
If you're following this as a tutorial, publish your resources so we can
use them in the next section.
\layout Section
Creating A Course
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating a Course}
\end_inset
: Maps and Sequences
\layout Standard
In order to create a useful course, we need to arrange our raw materials
so that students can use them.
\layout Subsection
Binding Together Resources In One Map: Page
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Page}
\end_inset
\layout Standard
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 238 83
file mapEditorSelection.eps
width 3 40
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Map Editor Selection
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Editor Selection Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
To join several resources into one web page, you need to create a
\series bold
Map
\series default
of type
\series bold
Page
\series default
.
To create Page resource, create a new resource as described in section
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages}
\end_inset
.
This is a
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
page
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
resource so the URL must end in
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.page
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
After you enter in the URL ending in
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.page
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, you should see a screen as in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Selection Figure}
\end_inset
.
You can use either the advanced editor or the simplified editor.
\layout Comment
The following is a commented-out section of the manual, likely to not be
useful.
\layout Comment
About The Editor
\layout Comment
\begin_float fig
\layout Caption
Example of the Map Editor
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Editor Example Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
Maps are very powerful and can do a lot.
They can make decisions as the user progresses, going down different paths
under different circumstances.
For instance, a map can go down one path if the user gets a problem right,
and another path if they don't which will provide more help for the student.
\layout Comment
To facilitate editing these powerful entities, LON-CAPA has a map editor
that helps you take advantage of this power, as seen in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Example Figure}
\end_inset
.
The map editor can display the different paths in your browser, and allow
you to edit, insert, and delete resources from your map.
The editor has a
\series bold
Start
\series default
area and a
\series bold
Finish
\series default
area.
The students in the course will progress along on path or another, depending
on decisions made at each resource, as explained later.
Different paths are represented with different lines in the map editor.
In the example figure, there are two paths the student can go down, depending
on whether or not they get the problem at the branch point correct.
By the end of this section, we'll create the map represented in this figure.
\layout Comment
The branching ability can obviously be used to help the student understand
the concept in the problem by having them go through some extra material
based on their performance, but the total uses of this feature are limited
only by your imagination.
\layout Subsection
Creating a Simple .page With The Simple Editor
\layout Standard
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 250
file mapSimpleEditor.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Simple Map Editor
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Simple Map Editor}
\end_inset
\end_float
After creating a new .page resource and getting the editor selection prompt
(figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Selection Figure}
\end_inset
), click the
\series bold
Simple Edit
\series default
button to get to the simple sequence editor, which appears in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Simple Map Editor}
\end_inset
.
\layout Standard
The Simple Editor can create .sequences and .pages which are linear, which
means they have no branches or conditions.
\layout Standard
On the right side of the simple editor is the
\series bold
Target
\series default
, which represents the map you are currently building.
On the left side is the
\series bold
Import
\series default
area, which represents a work area you can use for your convenience to
load and manipulate resource you may wish to include in your map.
Using the three buttons in the middle of the screen, from top to bottom
you can cut things out of the Target, copy from the Target to the Import,
and copy from the Import to the Target, respectively.
\layout Standard
On both sides of the screen, you can do a Group Search and a Group Import.
A Group Search allows you to run a search, then import selected results
from that search into either directly into your Map, or into your Import
space.
Checkboxes will appear next to the results in the Group Search, and you
can click the resource you wish to add to your map.
After you select the resource, you will be presented with a screen that
allows you to change the order of the selected resources, then you will
be able to import the selected resources and work with them.
\layout Standard
A Group Import works in a similar fashion, but allows you to use the LON-CAPA
network browser to select your resources.
\layout Standard
On the Import side, you can also browse for another Map, and load the resources
used in that map into your Import workspace.
You can also discard the selected resources, clear all the resources, and
view the selected resource from the buttons on the Import side of the screen.
\layout Standard
Both list boxes support standard multi-select mechanisms as used in your
OS.
\layout Subsection
Creating a Simple .page With The Advanced Editor
\layout Standard
After creating a new .page resource and getting the editor selection prompt
(figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Selection Figure}
\end_inset
), click the
\series bold
Advanced Edit
\series default
button to get to the advanced sequence editor.
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 205
file mapAdvancedEditorNew.eps
width 3 80
flags 11
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Initial Map Editor
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Initial Map Editor FIgure}
\end_inset
\end_float
You should the initial map editor as seen in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Initial Map Editor FIgure}
\end_inset
.
Note there are two windows.
One is the workspace, and one is a secondary window which will contain
information as you add resources.
\layout Enumerate
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 221
file mapClickedStart.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Clicked Start in the Map Constructor
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Clicked Start Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
Click the Start box.
You'll see what you see in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Clicked Start Figure}
\end_inset
.
Click
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
Link Resource
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
in the secondary window, then click on the Finish box.
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 70 210
file mapStraightened.eps
height 3 25
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Straightened Map
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Striaghtened map}
\end_inset
\end_float
After that, click
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
straighten
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
You should see something like figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Striaghtened map}
\end_inset
.
This creates a simple map that flows from beginning to end.
\layout Enumerate
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 271 252
file mapInsertResource.eps
height 3 30
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Inserting a Resource
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Inserting a Resource Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
To insert a resource into the flow, click the black line with two arrows.
In the secondary window, you'll see something like figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Inserting a Resource Figure}
\end_inset
.
Click
\series bold
Insert Resource Into Link
\series default
.
A new resource will appear in the link.
Click the resource.
\layout Enumerate
Click
\series bold
Browse
\series default
, and the
\series bold
Network Directory Browser
\series default
will appear,
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 357 162
file mapEditorDirectoryBrowser.eps
width 3 60
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Network Directory Browser
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Editor Network Directory Browser Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
looking something like figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Network Directory Browser Figure}
\end_inset
.
Press the select button that is next to the resource you want to include.
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 42 252
file mapEditorResourceChosen.eps
height 3 30
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Resource Chosen
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Resource Chosen Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
Once you've done that, if you look back at the window that popped up when
you clicked on
\series bold
New Resource
\series default
, you'll see something like figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Resource Chosen Figure}
\end_inset
.
You can type the
\series bold
URL
\series default
and
\series bold
Title
\series default
into the secondary window, if you prefer, following the format you see
above.
After you click
\series bold
Save Changes
\series default
, your changes will be saved, and the icons for the resource will appear
in the
\series bold
Res
\series default
box, as shown in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Resource Chosen Figure}
\end_inset
.
\begin_deeper
\layout Standard
Clicking on the left icon for a resource will open a new browser window
with an informational page about that resource.
Clicking on the right icon for a resource will open a new browser window
taking you to the rendering of that resource.
\end_deeper
\layout Enumerate
Repeat steps two and three for as many resources as you'd like to bind together
into one page.
You can insert the new resources anywhere you'd like.
\layout Enumerate
When you are done adding resources, click the
\series bold
Save Map
\series default
link to save the map.
\layout Standard
In addition to manually adding in resources, the Advanced Editor also has
the ability to import resource in the same way that the Simple Editor can:
From a LON-CAPA network browser window, from a Group Search, or from another
Map.
\layout Standard
The advanced editor has many more capabilities which you can explore.
\layout Subsection
Creating Sequences
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Sequence}
\end_inset
\layout Standard
Sequences are a series of resources that can be navigated using the
\series bold
NAV
\series default
remote control button, or by using the arrow keys on the remote control.
Sequence maps are created identically to page maps.
The only difference is how they are displayed.
\layout Subsection
Creating a Course: Top-level Sequence
\layout Standard
In order to view sequences, they need to be part of a
\series bold
course
\series default
.
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 238 231
file creatingANewCourse.eps
width 3 40
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Creating a New Course
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating a New Course Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
Courses have a Top-level Map which defines the whole course.
This top-level map will often itself contain maps corresponding to homework
assignments or weekly sequences.
To view your maps, you will need to make them part of a course.
Only Domain Administrators can make courses and set their Top-level maps,
so coordinate with your Domain Administrator if you need to view your maps.
\layout Section
Numerical Response
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Numerical Response}
\end_inset
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Numerical Response}
\end_inset
And Formula Response Questions
\layout Standard
Numerical Response problems are very powerful.
In fact, they are so powerful it would be impossible to fully explain what
is possible in a document like this.
This chapter will focus on just getting you started with Numerical Response
problems, and showing you some of the possibilities, with no prerequisite
knowledge necessary.
The more you learn, the more you will find you can do.
\layout Standard
In this chapter and the next, I will use the terms
\series bold
static
\series default
and
\series bold
dynamic
\series default
.
\series bold
Static
\series default
means the object never changes, and is the same for each student.
By contrast,
\series bold
dynamic
\series default
means the value can change, because there is some script that computes
it for each student.
\layout Standard
If you like, you can follow this chapter along as its own tutorial.
Create a Numerical Response problem using the instructions in section
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages}
\end_inset
, ending your resource name with
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.problem
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, and create a new
\series bold
Simple Numerical Response
\series default
problem.
\layout Subsection
The Parts of a Numerical Response Problem
\layout Standard
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 356
file numericalResponse1.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Numerical Response editor
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Numerical Response Editor Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
A Numerical Response problem has seven major parts by default, as seen in
figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Numerical Response Editor Figure}
\end_inset
:
\layout Enumerate
The
\series bold
Script
\series default
.
The script is the heart of advanced Numerical Response problems.
It can be used to decide some of the parameters of the problem, compute
the answer to the problem, and do just about anything else you can imagine.
The Script language is
\series bold
Perl
\begin_float footnote
\layout Standard
For lots and lots more information about Perl, see the Perl website at http://ww
w.perl.org/ .
\end_float
.
You do not need to know Perl to use the Script block, as we will be stepping
through some advanced examples in this chapter, but knowing Perl can help.
\layout Enumerate
Like other problem types, the
\series bold
Text Block
\series default
is used to display the problem the student will see.
In addition, you can place things in the
\series bold
Text Block
\series default
based on computations done in the
\series bold
Script
\series default
.
\layout Enumerate
The
\series bold
Answer
\series default
is the answer the system is looking for.
This can also use parameters from the
\series bold
Script
\series default
block, allowing the answer to be computed dynamically.
\layout Enumerate
A
\series bold
tolerance
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{tolerance}
\end_inset
\series default
parameter, which determines how closely the system will require the student
answer to be in order to count it correct.
For technical reasons, it is almost never a good idea to set this parameter
to zero
\begin_float footnote
\layout Standard
Computers can only approximate computations involving real numbers.
For instance, a computer's [decimal] answer to the simple problem
\begin_inset Formula \( \frac{1}{3} \)
\end_inset
is
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
0.33333333333333331
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
It
\emph on
should
\emph default
be an infinite series of 3's, and there certainly shouldn't be a
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
1
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
in the answer, but no computer can represent an infinitely long, infinitely
detailed real number.
Therefore, for any problem where the answer is not a small integer, you
\emph on
need
\emph default
to allow a tolerance factor, or the students will find it nearly impossible
to exactly match the computers idea of the answer.
\end_float
, though you may find the default too large for some problems.
There are two kinds of tolerance.
If there is some answer
\begin_inset Formula \( a \)
\end_inset
and a tolerance
\begin_inset Formula \( t \)
\end_inset
,
\begin_deeper
\layout Enumerate
an
\series bold
Absolute
\series default
tolerance
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{absolute tolerance}
\end_inset
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{tolerance, absolute}
\end_inset
will take anything in the range
\begin_inset Formula \( a\pm t \)
\end_inset
.
So if
\begin_inset Formula \( a=10 \)
\end_inset
and
\begin_inset Formula \( t=2 \)
\end_inset
, then anything between 8 and 12 is acceptable
\begin_float footnote
\end_deeper
\layout Standard
For much the same reasons a tolerance is almost always a good idea, it's
almost impossible to say whether an answer that is
\emph on
exactly
\emph default
\begin_inset Formula \( a\pm t \)
\end_inset
will be accepted by the computer.
But the computer does use many decimal places of accuracy; if you want
to have the student answer exactly
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
2
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, then specifying a tolerance of
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.0000001
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
is OK.
(Don't use too many more zeros, though you can use less if you like.)
\end_float
.
Any number in the tolerance field
\emph on
without
\emph default
a
\series bold
%
\series default
symbol is an absolute tolerance.
\begin_deeper
\layout Enumerate
a
\series bold
Relative
\series default
tolerance
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{relative tolerance}
\end_inset
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{tolerance, relative}
\end_inset
will take anything in the range
\begin_inset Formula \( a\pm at \)
\end_inset
, where
\emph on
t
\emph default
is interpreted as a percentage.
Any number in the tolerance field
\emph on
followed by
\emph default
a
\series bold
%
\series default
symbol is a relative tolerance.
For example,
\begin_inset Formula \( a=10 \)
\end_inset
and
\begin_inset Formula \( t=10\% \)
\end_inset
will accept anything between 9 and 11.
\end_deeper
\layout Enumerate
A
\series bold
significant figures
\series default
specification tells the system how many significant figures there are in
the problem, as either a single number or a range of acceptable values,
expressed as
\series bold
min,max
\series default
.
The system will check to make sure that the student's answer contains this
many significant digits, useful in many scientific calculations.
For example, if the problem has three significant digits, the significant
digit specification is
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
3
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, and the answer is
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
1.3
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, the system will require the students to type
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
1.30
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, even though numerically,
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
1.3
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
and
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
1.30
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
are the same.
\begin_deeper
\layout Comment
Confirm this.
\end_deeper
\layout Enumerate
The
\series bold
Single Line Text Entry
\series default
area, as in other problems, allow you to manipulate the text entry area
the student will see.
\layout Enumerate
Finally, the
\series bold
Hint
\series default
provides a place to help students who get the problem incorrect the first
time.
\layout Subsection
Simple Numerical Response Answer
\layout Standard
Along with showing the Numerical Response editor, figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Numerical Response Editor Figure}
\end_inset
also shows the parameters for one of the simplest possible types of numerical
response.
The
\series bold
Text Block
\series default
has the problem's question, which is the static text
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
What is 2 + 2?
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
The
\series bold
Answer
\series default
is
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
4
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
The
\series bold
Hint
\series default
has been set to something appropriate for this problem (unless this problem
is being given to very young children).
Everything else has the default values from when the problem was created.
\layout Standard
If you create a problem like this, hit
\series bold
Submit Changes
\series default
, then hit
\series bold
View
\series default
after the changes have been submitted, you can try the problem out for
yourself.
Note the last box in the HTML page has the answer LON-CAPA is looking for
conveniently displayed for you, along with the range the computer will
accept and the number of significant digits the computer requires.
\layout Standard
As you're playing with the problem, if you use up all your tries or get
the answer correct but wish to continue playing with the problem, use the
\series bold
Reset Submissions
\series default
button to clear your answer attempts.
\layout Subsection
Simple Script Usage
\layout Standard
Totally static problems only scratch the surface of the Numerical Response
capabilities.
To really explore the power of LON-CAPA, we need to start creating dynamic
problems.
But before we can get to truly dynamic problems, we need to learn how to
work with the
\series bold
Script
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Script}
\end_inset
\series default
window.
\layout Standard
A script consists of several
\series bold
statements
\series default
, separated by
\series bold
semi-colons
\series default
.
A
\series bold
statement
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{statement}
\end_inset
\series default
is the smallest kind of instruction to the computer you can give.
Most problems will be built from several statements.
\layout Standard
A script can contain
\series bold
comments
\series default
, which are not interpreted as statements by the computer.
Comments start with
\series bold
#
\series default
, and go to the end of that line.
Thus, if a line starts with #, the whole line is ignored.
Comments can also begin in the middle of a line.
It is a good idea to comment more complicated scripts, as it can be very
difficult to read a large script and figure out what it does.
It is a
\emph on
very
\emph default
good idea to adopt some sort of commenting standard, especially if you
are working in a group or you believe other people may use your problems
in the future.
\layout Itemize
One of the simplest statements in LON-CAPA is a
\series bold
variable assignment
\series default
.
A
\series bold
variable
\series default
can hold any value in it.
Simple values, such as a number or a string of text, start with a
\series bold
$
\series default
.
In the
\series bold
Script
\series default
, you need to assign to variables before you use them.
Put the program in Figure
\begin_float fig
\layout LyX-Code
\align center
$variable = 3;
\layout Caption
\pextra_type 3 \pextra_widthp 40
A simple script with a variable
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{A simple script with a variable}
\end_inset
\end_float
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{A simple script with a variable}
\end_inset
into the
\series bold
Script
\series default
field of the Numerical Response.
This creates a simple variable named
\series bold
variable
\series default
and assigns it the value of
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
3
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
That's one statement.
\layout Standard
Variable names are
\emph on
case sensitive
\emph default
, must start with a letter, and can only consist of letters, numbers, and
underscores.
Variable names can be as long as you want.
\layout Standard
Getting variable names right is a skill.
Variable names should not be too long, because they become easy to mistype.
Variable names should also not be too short, with the exception of some
conventionally short variable names used in control flow statements, which
are not covered in this manual.
\layout Standard
There are many variable naming conventions, covering both how to name and
how to capitalize variables
\begin_float footnote
\layout Standard
The author favors
\family typewriter
capsOnNewWords
\family default
.
Some people use
\family typewriter
underscore_to_seperate_words
\family default
.
Many use uppercase letters to specify constants like
\family typewriter
PI
\family default
or
\family typewriter
GOLDEN_MEAN
\family default
.
Some people always
\family typewriter
StartWithCapatalization
\family default
.
What's really importent is to be consistent, so you don't have to guess
whether the variable you're thinking of is
\family typewriter
coefFriction
\family default
,
\family typewriter
CoefFriction
\family default
,
\family typewriter
COEF_FRICTION
\family default
, or something else.
\end_float
.
It is a good idea to adopt a standard.
If you are working with a group, you may wish to discuss it in your group
and agree on a convention.
\layout Standard
If you
\series bold
Submit Changes
\series default
and
\series bold
View
\series default
the problem, you'll see nothing has changed.
That's because in order for a variable to be useful, it must be used.
The variable can be used in several places.
\layout Subsubsection
Variables in Scripts
\layout Standard
Variables can be used later in the same script.
For instance, we can add another line below the
\family typewriter
$variable
\family default
line as such:
\layout LyX-Code
$variable2 = $variable + 2;
\layout Standard
Now there is a variable called
\family typewriter
$variable2
\family default
with the the number
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
5
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
as its value.
\layout Standard
Variables can also be used in
\emph on
strings
\emph default
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{strings}
\end_inset
, which are a sequence of letters.
The underlying language of the script, Perl, has a very large number of
ways of using variables in strings, but the easiest and most common way
is to use normal double-quotes and just spell out the name of the variable
you want to use in the string, like this:
\layout LyX-Code
$stringVar =
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
I have a variable with the value $variable.
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
\layout Standard
This will put the string
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
I have a variable with the value 3.
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
into the variable named
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
stringVar
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
\layout Standard
If you are following this chapter as a tutorial, add the previous two lines
and save the problem.
There's no need to view it; there's still no visible change.
\layout Subsubsection
Variables in the Text Block
\layout Standard
Once you've defined variables in the
\series bold
Script
\series default
, you can use them in the
\series bold
Text Block
\series default
.
For example, using the previous three-line script we've created so far,
you can place the following in the
\series bold
Text Block
\series default
:
\layout LyX-Code
See the 3: $variable<br />
\layout LyX-Code
See the string: <b>$stringVar</b><br />
\layout Standard
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 353 99
file numericalResponseVarInText.eps
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Result of Variables in the Text Block
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Result of Variables in the Text Block Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
If you save that and hit
\series bold
View
\series default
, you should get what you see in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Result of Variables in the Text Block Figure}
\end_inset
.
Note how the
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
$variable
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
was turned into a 3, and the
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
$stringVar
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
was turned into
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
I have a variable with the value 3.
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
\layout Subsubsection
Variables in the Answer Block
\layout Standard
You can use variables in the
\series bold
Answer
\series default
part of the question, too.
This means you can compute an answer to a question, which we'll see in
a bit.
If you set the answer of the question to be
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
$variable
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
(without the quotes),
\series bold
Save Changes
\series default
and
\series bold
View
\series default
it, you'll see that LON-CAPA is now expecting
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
3
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
as the answer, plus or minus 5%.
\layout Subsection
Calling Functions
\layout Standard
With variables, you can store strings or numbers.
\series bold
Functions
\series default
allow you to manipulate these strings or numbers.
Functions work like mathematical functions: They take some number of arguments
in, and return one argument, usually a number or a string for our purposes.
There are a lot of functions available in LON-CAPA.
You can see a complete list at http://mileva.lite.msu.edu/loncapadocs/homework/hom
ework5.html.
For now, let's just look at some simple examples.
\layout Standard
\begin_float fig
\layout LyX-Code
$a = 3;
\layout LyX-Code
$b = &sin($a);
\layout LyX-Code
$c = &pow(3, &floor($a));
\layout Caption
Some Function Calls
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Some Function Calls Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
In the
\series bold
Script
\series default
block, function names start with
\series bold
&
\series default
.
Some example function calls are shown in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Some Function Calls Figure}
\end_inset
.
You can see that functions can take either variables, numbers, or the results
of other function calls as parameters.
The
\family typewriter
sin
\family default
function returns the sine of an angle expressed in radians.
\family typewriter
pow
\family default
raises the first parameter to the power of the second parameter.
\family typewriter
floor
\family default
returns the nearest integer below the parameter, which since 3 is already
an integer is 3.
\layout Subsubsection
Randomization
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Randomization}
\end_inset
\layout Standard
For LON-CAPA, one of the most important functions is the
\family typewriter
random
\family default
function.
Random takes three parameters, a
\emph on
lower limit
\emph default
, an
\emph on
upper limit
\emph default
, and an
\emph on
interval
\emph default
.
The
\family typewriter
random
\family default
function returns a random value between the upper and lower limit, some
integer number of
\emph on
interval
\emph default
's away from the lower limit.
Thus, for example,
\family typewriter
&random(1,2,.2)
\family default
might return 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, or 2.
\family typewriter
random
\family default
uses a uniform distribution.
Other distributions are available in LON-CAPA, and can be found by consulting
the function list.
\layout Standard
\begin_float fig
\layout LyX-Code
$a = &random(1,10,1);
\layout LyX-Code
$b = &random(-10, -3, 1);
\layout LyX-Code
$answer = $a+$b;
\layout Caption
Sample
\family typewriter
random
\family default
Calls
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Sample Random Calls figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
If you put the script in figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Sample Random Calls figure}
\end_inset
into the
\series bold
Script
\series default
block (replacing whatever contents might be in the block already), you'll
get two random variables $a and $b.
Now, in the
\series bold
Text Block
\series default
, put
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
What is $a plus $b?
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, and in the
\series bold
Answer
\series default
put
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
$answer
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, without the quotes for either of them.
(It is a good idea to create a variable to hold the answer and call it
$answer, or some other reasonably standard name.
Do not try to compute the answer in the
\series bold
Answer
\series default
field itself; it will not work as you expect.) Now save the problem and
\series bold
View
\series default
it.
You'll see a randomized problem.
\layout Standard
For each student, the same random number will be used each time they visit
the problem, but each student will get different random numbers.
For any but the simplest random problems, you'll want to see several random
problems to make sure everything is working out correctly.
This is what the
\series bold
Random Seed
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Random Seed}
\end_inset
\series default
field is for.
To see another randomized version of the problem you've just created, put
another number into the
\series bold
Random Seed
\series default
field and hit
\series bold
Change
\series default
.
It doesn't really matter what number you put into the field.
But for any given
\series bold
Random Seed
\series default
with the same problem, you'll see the same randomized problem generated
for you.
(If you change the
\series bold
Script
\series default
, you are no longer guaranteed to get the same problem.)
\layout Standard
If you're doing this as a tutorial, try a few random seeds to see what happens.
\layout Subsection
Dynamic, Randomized Problems: Putting It All Together
\layout Standard
Now you have all the tools to create those wonderful dynamic, randomized
problems that you've seen in LON-CAPA.
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 197
file numericalResponseSlopeProblem.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Slope Problem Parameters
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Slope Problem Parameters Figure}
\end_inset
\end_float
For example, try filling out your problem with the parameters shown in
figure
\begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Slope Problem Parameters Figure}
\end_inset
.
\layout Standard
When creating randomized problems, you want to make sure that the problems
always have an answer.
Consider what might happen if I had chosen the two slopes
\emph on
both
\emph default
with the expression
\family typewriter
&rand(-1,1,.2)
\family default
.
One out of ten students would get a problem where both slopes were equal,
which has either no solution (for unequal y-intercepts) or an infinite
number of solutions (for equal slopes and y-intercepts).
Both of these cause a division-by-zero error on the division that computes
the answer.
There are many ways to avoid this, one of the easiest of which is picking
one slope negative and one positive.
This same problem can show up in many other places, too, so be careful.
\layout Subsection
Units, Format
\layout Standard
Numerical Response problems can require units.
In the problem editing form, place the desired unit in the
\series bold
Unit
\series default
field.
For information about what units the system accepts, see http://capa4.lite.msu.edu
/demolibrary/Links/UnitsSymbolsT2.html.
The computer will accept the answer in any of its accepted unit formats.
For example, if the answer to a problem is
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
1ft
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, the computer will accept
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
12in
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
as correct.
\layout Standard
Additionally, you can format the number displayed by the computer as the
answer.
For instance, if the answer is one-third, the computer will display that
it computed
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
.333333333
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
as the answer.
If you'd like to shorten that, you can use the
\series bold
Format
\series default
field.
Format strings like
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
2e
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
(without the quotes) will display three significant digits in scientific
notation.
Format strings like
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
2f
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
will display three significant digit in traditional notation if possible,
and scientific notation if the number is too large or too small.
You can use any small number that you want instead of
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
2
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
\layout Subsection
For More Information
\layout Standard
It's always a good idea to look at other people's LON-CAPA problems, especially
those from the same discipline as your problems, and see what they are
doing.
\series bold
Very often, the easiest way to create a new problem is to copy it and modify
the copy until it does what you need.
\series default
The more complicated a problem is, the more time you'll save by doing this.
You may also find new ideas you can use and elaborate on in your problems.
\layout Comment
Is there UI for this? Check.
\layout Standard
The full power of the Perl is well outside the scope of this document.
Looking in the function list at http://mileva.lite.msu.edu/loncapadocs/homework/ho
mework5.html can give you some ideas.
O'Reilly has some good Perl books.
The Perl 5 Pocket Reference will contain more then what you need to know
to use LON-CAPA, available at http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/perlpr3/ .
\layout Standard
If you have any problems, consult http://help.loncapa.org/fom/cache/5.html
.
If you don't find the answer to your problem, please help us expand the
FAQ by emailing us your question so we can answer it.
\layout Standard
Our advanced users often come to prefer the XML interface for the problems,
available through the
\series bold
EditXML
\series default
buttons.
Covering the XML format is beyond the scope of this manual, but you can
learn a lot by using the editor to make changes and seeing what happens
to the XML.
\layout Subsection
Formula Response
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Formula Response}
\end_inset
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Formula Response}
\end_inset
Problems
\layout Standard
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 476 262
file formulaResponse.eps
width 3 80
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Formula Response Problem
\end_float
Formula response problems asks the student to type in a formula as an answer.
If the answer is
\begin_inset Formula \( 2x^{2}+4 \)
\end_inset
, the student is allowed to type
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
2*x*x+4
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
,
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
x*x + x*x + 4
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
,
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
2*x^2 + 14 - 10
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, or any other equivalent expression.
Formula Response problems have many of the same characteristics of Numerical
Response problems, including the ability to run scripts, dynamically generate
answers, etc.
\layout Standard
As you may know, it is extremely difficult to determine whether a given
expression is exactly equal to another expression in general.
For example, is
\begin_inset Formula \( \sin 2x=2\sin x\cos x \)
\end_inset
? Symbolically proving it one way or another is impossible in general.
Therefore, LON-CAPA uses a sampling system.
If your answer and the student's answer agree at the sampling points within
your given tolerance factor, the student's answer will be accepted, otherwise
it will be rejected.
\layout Subsubsection
Sampling Specifications
\layout Standard
To specify where to sample the formulas to determine whether the student's
answer is correct, you need to put a sampling specification in the
\series bold
Sample Points
\series default
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Sample Points}
\end_inset
field.
The sampling specifications takes the following format:
\layout Itemize
A comma seperated list of the variables you wish to interpret,
\layout Itemize
followed by
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
@
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
(not in quotes),
\layout Itemize
followed by any number of the following two things, separated by semi-colons:
\begin_deeper
\layout Enumerate
a comma separated list of as many numbers as there are variables, which
specifies one sampling point, OR
\layout Enumerate
a comma separated list of as many numbers as there are variables, followed
a colon, followed by another list of as many numbers as there are variables,
followed by #, followed by an integer.
\end_deeper
\layout Standard
The first form specifies one point to sample.
The second form specifies a range for each variable, and the system will
take as many random samples from that range as the number after the #.
\layout Standard
For
\begin_inset Formula \( 2x^{2}+4 \)
\end_inset
, with one variable
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
x
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, one could specify
\layout Itemize
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
x@2
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, which will sample the answers only at 2.
(This is generally a bad idea, as the student could get lucky and match
at that point)
\layout Itemize
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
x@1:5#4;10
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
will take 4 samples from somewhere between 1 and 5, and also sample at
10.
\layout Standard
For
\begin_inset Formula \( 2x^{2}+3y^{3} \)
\end_inset
, which has two variables, one could specify
\layout Itemize
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
x,y@4,5:10,12#4;0,0
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
, which take four samples from the box determined by the points (4, 5) and
(10, 12), and also sample the point (0, 0).
\layout Subsubsection
Formula Notes
\layout Itemize
The formula evaluator can not handle things of the form
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
x + - y
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
If you have a random variable that may be positive or negative (as in the
example following this section), you can try wrapping the references to
that variable in parenthesis.
As always, it is a good idea to try out several randomized versions of
your problems to make sure everything works correctly.
\layout Itemize
\series bold
Never use relative tolerance in Formula Response problems.
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{tolerance, in formula response}
\end_inset
\begin_inset LatexCommand \index{relative tolerance, in formula response}
\end_inset
\series default
Relative tolerance is poorly defined in Formula Response problems.
Always use absolute tolerance.
\layout Subsubsection
Example Formula Response
\layout Standard
A very simple formula response problem:
\layout Standard
In the
\series bold
Script
\series default
, place the following:
\layout LyX-Code
$slope = random(-5,5,.5);
\layout LyX-Code
$yint = random(-5,5,.5);
\layout Itemize
In the
\series bold
Text Block
\series default
, place the following:
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
For a line with slope $slope and y-intercept $yint, what is y equal to?
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
\layout Itemize
In the
\series bold
Answer
\series default
, place the following:
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
$slope*x + ($yint)
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
\layout Itemize
Set the Tolerance to .000001.
\layout Itemize
Set the
\series bold
Answer
\series default
to
\begin_inset Quotes eld
\end_inset
$slope * x + $yint
\begin_inset Quotes erd
\end_inset
.
\layout Itemize
Set the
\series bold
Sample Points
\series default
to x@0,1,2,3 .
\layout Comment
TODO:
\layout Comment
* Get sampling problem figured out
\layout Comment
\SpecialChar ~
\layout Comment
\SpecialChar ~
\newline
\SpecialChar ~
\layout Comment
Appendix A: Student Interface
\layout Comment
\begin_float fig
\layout Standard
\align center
\begin_inset Figure size 152 353
file studentInterface.eps
flags 9
\end_inset
\layout Caption
Student Remote Control
\begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Student Remote Control}
\end_inset
\end_float
The Student Remote Control will automatically load whenever you log in to
a LON-CAPA course as a student.
The Student Remote Control contains most of the functions of the Author
Remote Control and the following additional functions.
\layout Comment
\series bold
NAV (NAVIGATE CONTENTS)
\series default
allows you to directly access resources from the course outline.
\layout Comment
\series bold
ARROWS (LEFT and RIGHT)
\series default
allows you to move to the backward or forward through the course.
\layout Comment
\series bold
GRDS (MY GRADES)
\series default
allows you to check your grades in the courses you are taking.
\layout Comment
\series bold
SBKM (SET BOOKMARK)
\series default
allows you to bookmark pages for easy access.
\layout Comment
\series bold
VBKM (VIEW BOOKMARK)
\series default
displays your bookmarks for easy access to bookmarked resources.
\layout Comment
\series bold
ANOT (ANOTATE)
\series default
allows you to create personal notes.
\layout Comment
\series bold
LOGOUT (LOGOUT)
\series default
will log you out of the LON-CAPA system.
\layout Standard
\begin_inset LatexCommand \printindex{}
\end_inset
\the_end
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